Ms Terri and I visited Smith Creek on Saturday to work on one of the trails and check on the start of the wildflower season. Beautiful day with blue bird sky and very comfortable temps. Water levels in the Creek were great with enough flow for excellent cascades and waterfalls. Below is a list of the wildflowers blooming now:

Harbinger of Spring

Toothwort

White Trout Lily

Yellow Trout Lily (just beginning)

Blue violets

Pale Coradalyis

Blood Root

Sharp Lobed Hepatica

It appears that the wildflower season is about a week to 10 days early this year for the early bloomers. Not sure what effect this will have on the rest of the season.

The weather held off perfectly for the field day at Smith Creek. A great way to celebrate Earth Day and Good Friday. Smith Creek is one of the great cathedrals on our planet. We had about 15 folks for the hike from the bridge to the springs. The best part of the day was seeing two wildflowers that I had not been able to see before. The trumpet honeysuckle and the columbine. The creek had good flow with the falls and cascades putting on a good show for the visitors.

Ms.Terri and I visited the Creek today to check on the wildflower show. The yellow trout lilys are near peak. The following are just beginning and should be excellent next weekend:

Blue Phlox

Dutchmen's Breeches

Large Belwort

Purple Trillium

The yellow and blue violets were showing well as well as toothworts.

The Nature Conservancy will be having a hike on April 22, 2011. You can sign up by emailing bluper@tnc.org or calling Brenda Luper at 479-973-9110.

A reminder for Nature In Focus - 2011 at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks on April 14, 2011 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. There will be 30 of my wildflower photos available for silent auction. Admission is free. There will be light food and refreshments. This is a fundraising and awareness event. All proceeds benefit The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas.